Zip up your cardigan! The popular children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and it’s caught the attention of generations of families who all remember the show and are now re-experiencing his lessons through their children’s eyes on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. You can now travel through iconic only-in-Pennsylvania attractions that inspired Mister Rogers’ life.
In honor of Fred Rogers (a beloved Pennsylvania native) the Pennsylvania Tourism Office has debuted the all-new Fred Rogers Trail. The Fred Rogers Trail is a three-day road trip inspired by the universally beloved children’s television figure. The trail starts in Rogers’ hometown of Latrobe in the Laurel Highlands and ends in Pittsburgh. Travelers can experience the neighborhoods that inspired the TV pioneer’s personal life. Attractions on the trail include:
- Trolley ride through Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood), a collection of vintage children’s rides and the beloved StoryBook Forest and beautiful scenery of the magnificent Laurel Highlands from atop the classic Ferris Wheel at Idlewild & SoakZone
- Fred Rogers Exhibit at Saint Vincent College featuring puppets from the hit show
- Latrobe High School, where Fred Rogers attended, which now displays items from Rogers’ school years, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood production memorabilia and more. (Open to the public during scheduled school activities.)
- Fred Rogers Statue in James H. Rogers Park
- A look-alike trolley, Duquesne Incline, in Pittsburgh
- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum where Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood filmed the iconic episode, “Grandparents”
- Senator John Heinz History Center in downtown Pittsburgh that’s home to the largest collection of original items from the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood television set
- WQED Studios, the nation’s first community-supported television station and where Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed
- Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and its latest Fred Rogers & Us exhibit
You can find the full Fred Rogers Trail itinerary (and noteworthy detours!) at visitPA.com/FredRogers.
By Bridgette Langdon